Picture frame



Nov. 4, 1952 N. H. osBuRN 2,616,197

Plc'rURE FRAME Filed Aug. 2, 1948 g. n gmc/wm 'Zez'la/f fl. smfn/ 3% wJM A TTG/UVEK Patented Nov. 4, 1- 95'2 orifice -'z,61s,197= f nlPICTlUR-E 1 s Neild H. Osb'iirn,l Pasadena,- Calif. j L "ApplicationAlgiisf 2, ieiasr'ialiaiaoso v i "3 claims; (o1. '4o-'452)' Thisinvention relates to a frame formounting pictures and the .like and toa` novel hinge GOD,-

struction for fastening together two .or more of such frames.

An object of my invention is to lprovidevapictureframe which presents apleasing appearance and at the same timeY is sturdy and inexpensive toconstruct. t

A further object of myinvention is to provide a novel hinge constructionfor pivotally fastening together a pair of the fra-mes of my invention.l

These and the other objects ofmylinvention, which will appear in thedescription Ibelow, are accomplished .in general Ybyrformingthesides ofmy new picture frame oflrelativelythin strip material, either of sheetmetal. or of vsheet plas'- tic or of other suitable material, such stripma.- terial being formed into the .shape of,.acurved channel, with abead formed alongone edge thereof projecting into the channel. .Toprovide a pair of the hingediframes of `my invention, correspondingchanneled sides of each of two frames are provided with transverseslots. Elongated strips are inserted in the slots, one portion of eachstrip being fastened to the 'inner edge of one of the sides and anothershort portion of each strip projecting Vfrom lthe slot at right anglesthereto, and being provided with means forming a pivotal connection with'a like portion projecting similarly from the opposite side of anotherframe. f Y

Y rlhe following description is of a particular embodiment of myinvention which is merely illustrative thereof and is not vto beconstrued as limiting it, since it is obvious that modiiications may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the picture frame of myinvention, showinga pair of such'frames hinged together.

Figure 2 is a cross section of one of such frames on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a back view showing ythe details of the construction at onecorner of the frame.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure l.

`Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on line v5 5 of Figure 1, alsoshowing a top plan view of the hinge of my invention.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of one of the at strips' used to form thehinges of my invention.

Referring now to'Figure 1, the letters A and B designate respectivelyrectangular frames hav'- ing vertical vsides l andvtop sides `2}"andbottom Yan. opening throughl which the pieces r56 sides 3, Frames A andB are shown pivotally connected by hinges designated generally by thevnumerals 4, although it is obvious that each l,frame may be used alone.

Asv shown in Figure 2, the vertical lsides l of the vrframe are formedof relatively thin strips, the

major portion of the width of which is curved 'so as to form a channelIlz-along the length of each strip, said channel having a relativelylarge radius of curvature, and being adapted to receive the sides of thepicture 5 together with Vthe glass pane 6 and the backing member 1. Thechannel la is illustrated as being substantially semicylindrical, but itis apparent that any other smoothly curved channel shape might be used.Along one edge of the channel la, and

adjacent the faceof the frame, a bead ib is formed by curving inwardlyof the channel a relatively narrow 4edge portion of the strip on arelatively small radius ofY curvature compared with the radius ofcurvature of the channel la. The bead Ib partially overhangs andprojects into the channel, the edgeA of the bead along its entire lengthbeing in contact with the face of the glass pane 6. The backing member 1is formed of stiff material, such as cardboard,

nof suitable thickness relative to the width of the channel larso as' tohold the glass pane 6 'securely in 'contact with the inner edges of thebeadsv lb. The top sides 2 are constructed similarly to the sides l.

' The bottom-sides 3 are similarly formed of relatively thin stripmaterial having the major 'portion'of the width thereofA curved on thesame 'radius of curvature as the channel portions vof the sides I and 2,and having a bead formed alongone edge thereof adjacent the face of theframe similar tothe bead Ib on the sides l and 2.' As Shown in Figure 4,however, the bottom side 3 is of lesser width than the remaining sidesVto allow the picture, glass, and backing membertoV be inserted into thechannels la formed in the remaining sides. In other words, lthebottomside`3 is formed in the same manner as'vertical'sides'l and top side 2,but the back portion of the open channel 3a immediately below the`backing piece l is cut away Ato provide .and 'l maybe inserted into theframe.

opposing ends and the sides are then soldered or otherwise fastenedtogether. As shown in Figure 3 an L-shaped reinforcing strip Sispreferably kinserted at each corner,4 the sides 8a thereof ,t

ting snugly against the inner surface of the curved bead I b and beingsoldered or otherwise bonded to the abutting ends of adjacent sides. Ihejoint provided as described above is both strong and of good appearance.If the sides are formed of metal strips, solder applied over thereinforcing strips 8 will provide a sturdy joint of rigid monolithicstructure, while at the same time all evidence of soldering orreinforcement is completely concealed within .the interior of thechannels i l'a.

It will"be^notedthatmy frame'isifonned'oftwo oppositely facing channelportions. The channel portion la of larger radius faces inwardly of theframe, while the bead lb formed at one channel la constitutes a secondchannel of smaller radius facing into the first 'chamieL-rcr facingoutwardly of the frame. :It wilL-befnoted that the free edge of thesmaller channel fb is directed outwardly in a plane substanti'alyparallel with the plane ofthe frame.

The frame described above is ,very f simple `:to manufacture. Thechanneled. n.headed ,sidesfare .most conveniently formedrofatstripsmffsheet metal rolled into shapeworathe...stripsmmay ,he

operation. .As eXpla-inedabove, .togjoinmthe sides .together they are.mere-,lyggiven va-. 4.5";.xr-1itreat vthe ends .-thereof,areinforcingstnip .and..solder. ;being .then applied at Y.the linside.of the ...loma ,If y.it

should :be .desiredctoformlthesideamembers i-'ofa r' ,plastic material,suena cellulosefacetateamethyl methacrylate or .the like, asatvstripeof.the ,plastic ,could .be `.drawn through fa @die r.similaily tto ...themetal strip, or the plastic .-oompositiontmay bie extrusion .molded tozthegproper shape. .Plastic :side members .could `be ,heatzWelded,.'cement'edwr .otherwise fastened together .iat the cornerssimilarly `to the Imetal ssdes,..including `Athe -u-serdf .theangleapieces 8.

.Figures 5 and 6 .show .the .details v-ief lfhinge construction `whichLhavedevised.toeprovide'con- .vement and sim-ple ...meansfforliinging-.a rpaizrf'zof ...my frames together. .Fgure e6 showsoneinf v.flat strips .9,:a pair -of :which forms ahinge. :Each zstrip .9.has a .tapered elongated port-ione! a which is .bent ,along .the line.9c at a'ightfangles `.tota shorter ,portionfSh 'Thelonggpcustion"im.fisY in- :serted in 4the .transverse .slots Je, cutziniconic- .sponding ,sides v\.-| .fat V-correspoznding points .along .thelength thereoffand adiacentthebeafome'il thereon, and are then pressed.

insideeof channel flawadj'acentetherhea .1419, as `.shown Lin Figure 5,Jandsoldered our f-:otherwlse .fastened thereto. If Idesired, `theipcrti'ona-znf V.the-strip@ Vmavfbe given-aa .clnvaturel acrossfthewidth thereofso:thatitconformssmorefperfectly to the .curved-vcontourref fchannel llhefs'ncrt portion 9b will .then projectromiiciat,rightzangles vthereto and .atr-iglitiangles'sto the sides l..Corresponding'short b tenia-d- `jacent .frames into overlapping-relatien .as .shown fin .Figure-5, :and :are iqvrovided means .forpivotally connecting said .short iper- -tions together. A :balla-and:socket .designated generally by 9d -fshownfwhereina hollow, `.generallyhemispherical knob ;or;-';t'eat formed on .both ofthe'short-porticns@mand-@the .outer portion `of .theteat on.oneifhingefpartfis seated Vin the socket .of the-.teatou .theothenhingepart. With .this arrangement, all ythe hinge parts are .formed .alikeasshown-.lneE-igureffbnt when they are mounted-.on .twolframes Mie-tentson 'the uppermost and .lowermesthinge .parts must be :facing .in.opposite ,.directicns. Peet-,Fir ure l.

Other types of construction may be used to pivotally connect the shortportion 9b. My hinge construction is characterized particularly bysimplicity of construction, since it can be made merely by a simplestamping operation and assembled with a minimum of labor. In addition,they are small and inconspicuous, no parts thereof being visible exceptthe short portions :9b projecting from the slots l c.

nnimportant 'feature of'm'y invention is the "bead lb"formedadjacentf'theiface'ol the frame.

As can be seen best in Figure 2, this bead serves lto provide a positivemeans in cooperation with ,thefbacking member 1 for holding the glass 6securly'in place. As described above, the edge of :the bead .Alibris incontact with the glass 6 at all ,pointsalong its length. In addition toholding 'the Vrglass securely in place the bead Ib providesaf'meansi'for holding the surface of the picture away from the face ofthe frame. Thus a greater .depth from the face .of .theframe to thesur-"face of the picture issecured giving the `vframe va more pleasingappearance. Finally, the-...use .of the bead l'b'in connectionwi'th'thecurvedchan- .drawn through-.adje andrproperflyshaped @ne v g nelprovidesa continuously curving section at all points. The symmetryoftlie contour:presented Abyth'issecticn gives .the vvframe a veryL-.pleasnfgappearance. There is no breakinthesymmetry even at .the corners, sincevthe .contour v,of 1the channel'and the bead/isnotialtered and'thecon-'tinuously vcurving section .is always preserved thus' providing a veryattractive corner.

Obviously any attractive and ornamental 'in- `ish may be Vgiven to thesides, 4for instance, a highlypolis'hed bronze or chrome'inish maybeemployed "or a .hammered metal jfnis'h 'might "be used. 'If plastic used"to form the side's,. obviously any of the .various dyesian'dfpigmentsmay beincorpora'ted therein to give any 'desired 'itl/pe'of'decorative'nishl "I claim:

`1. A device `v'for mountingpictures .and the 'like icomprising a pairof yrectangular framesjthe sides 'thereof being each comprised of 1an'elongated strip of 'relatively thin '.ma'terial, 'the major ,por-

rtiono'f the Width of vsaid strip being curved sofas 1toform a channelalong the length 'thereofrone .corresponding side of each .frame beingprovided `with a .plurality .of transverse slots, .said vsluis vbeingarranged Vat corresponding points ,along the length "of and adjacent theedge .of `each corresponding side, a plurality of .hingesjforpivotallyconnecting said frames together, ,each of .said 'hinges comprisingapa'irof flat strips, .each strip .of 'each pair having a portion.fastened .to `the inside .edge of the channel :portion 4of vonerof.said corresponding. sides, .and v, each .strip of .each having arelatively short ,portion :extending v.through one .of .saidslotsa-tfright .angles y.to-.said elongated portion and .to both vofsaid.corresponding sides,4 corresponding ones `of .said short ,.-por-.tions -.being provided 4with means rfor .pivotally connectingcorresponding` pairs Aof* saidstrips.

v, .A device,formountingpictures and .thefllike comprising apair-of.rectangularvfframes .theisides thereof being.;each `comprised-of anelongated strip of relatively thin material, -thermajorfpor- `:tion ofthe width gofsaidfstrip being curvedrso as `.to form a .channel along.the-length thereof, .said channel being adapted to .receiveoneasidepfia picture, a relatively narrow portion4 of the Width of.said-strip .along one-edge thereof being curved .inwardly sof saidchannel :1 on -a relatively; smaller .radius of-.curvature than theradius ofcurvatur'e Y .515 4lofsaid Channellsogfasftoformacmvedfbe'adalong one edge of and partially projecting into said channel,one corresponding side of each frame being provided with a plurality oftransverse slots, said slots being arranged at corresponding pointsalong the length of and adjacent the bead formed on each correspondingside, a plurality of hinges for pivotally connecting said framestogether, each of said hinges comprising a pair of flat strips. eachstrip of each pair having a portion fastened to the inside edge of oneof the corresponding sides adjacent the bead formed thereon, and eachstrip of each pair having a relatively short portion extending throughone of said slots at right angles to said elongated portion and to bothof said corresponding sides, corresponding ones of said short portionsbeing provided with means for pivotally connecting corresponding pairsof said strips.

3. A frame for mounting a picture between a. glass plate and a backingboard comprising a rectangular frame each side of Which is formed of anelongated strip of relatively thin material, the major portion of thewidth of said strip being curved so as to form a substantiallysemi-cylindrical channel of relatively large radius of curvature alongthe length of said strip, said channel being arranged to face inwardlyof said frame to receive one edge portion of said glass plate and oneedge portion of said backing board, a relatively narrow portion of thewidth of said strip adjacent the face of said frame and along one edgeof said channel being curved inwardly of said channel on a relativelysmaller radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of said channelso as to form a smaller channel of semicylindrical section along oneedge of said ilrstmentioned channel, said smaller channel being arrangedto face into said larger channel and extending over only a smallfractional part of said larger channel, the free edge of said smallerchannel forming a seat for said glass plate, the bottom side of saidframe having a. narrow portion thereof cut away along its rear edge toprovide an opening of a width equal to the thickness of said backingboard, whereby said glass plate and said backing board may be insertedinto said frame through said opening, the sides of said frame beingjoined at each corner in a. mitered joint, each joint including anL-shaped angle piece bridged across the joint and having the armsthereof positioned within the adjoining yframe sides and being bonded tothe inner channelled surfaces of said adjoining frame sides to form arigid, monolithic joint, said angle pieces being located entirely to thefront of the plane of the free edge of said smaller channel, and saidsmaller channel being sufficiently shallow to allow said L-shaped anglepieces to be applied across the corner joints through said largerchannel after said frame sides have been placed in proper nal position.

NEILD H. OSBURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 400,151 White Mar. 26, 1889437,949 Talcott Oct. 7, 1890 1,068,621 Abraham July 29, 1913 1,291,375Berg Jan. 14, 1919 1,770,050 Ihompson July 8, 1930 2,081,722 WeinzierlMay 25, 1937 2,113,871 Bozung Apr. 12, 1938 2,185,904 Stowe Jan. 2, 19402,259,434 Blodgett Oct. 21, 1941 2,317,708 Zareko Apr. 27, 19432,464,514 Kaufmann Mar. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date150,369 Austria Aug. 10, 1937

